CURRENT LITERATURE.
THE exact spot on the British coast where Julius Ciesar landed his in- vading legions is a point as important to discover and as difficult to decide as it is to ascertain what becomes of all the pins. In those remote and barbarous times, the organ of reverence appears to have been very imper- fectly developed. The custom, therefore, had not yet been introduced of erecting a monumental pillar in memory of a footstep. This omission on the part of our ancestors is, however, the less to be regretted, inasmuch as it has furnished scope for the ingenious guesses of learned men, and afforded them grounds for mutual abuse and vituperation. This one fixes upon Richborough, while that one proves the disembarkation took place at Dover. A third is all in favour of Hastings, but Mr. Lewin knows that it happened at Folkestone.* Possibly it is reserved for "our lively ally," Napoleon III., to proclaim, de part rEmpereur, which, if any, of these disputed points is to enjoy the doubtful honour of being first trampled under foot by a foreign invader. In the mean time, Mr. Lewin has given abun- dant proofs of sound scholarship, and of diligent and patient investigation-
" Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown" was the remark of the Fourth Henry when he found himself deserted by "sleep, gentle sleep, Nature's soft nurse." Some such reflection probably presented itself to the weary mind of the Conqueror, when first the tidings reached hint of the "Great Conspiracy." That stormy episode in his troubled career has
been taken by Mr. Francis Worsleyt as the plot of a five-act tragedy, though he confines himself chiefly to the cruel fate of Waltheof, the last of the Saxon Thanes. The language is for the most part declamatory and sonorous, but never bombastic, save when it may also be charged with anachronisms. For instance, it is not a little startling to listen to Sir Hugh de Bohan imploring the Lady Judith to let him drink beams from those electric orbs," or to hear Earl Hereford plead for immediate action, because "delay will bring the king, with a torpedo's shock." Waltheof himself indulges in classical allusions far more frequently than might be expected of an Anglo-Saxon chief, famous for his prowess rather than for his scholarship.
The persecution of the Non-Conformist a in the reign of Charles IL,
though the natural consequence of the reaction that followed the over- throw of the Puritan domination' is certainly not the period of English history to which a tolerant and liberal-minded man can refer without mingled feelings of shame and pity. The great wrongs and small affronts to which those sincere if somewhat wrong-headed men were continually subjected called forth, indeed, many of the highest qualities that charac- terize Englishmen. Neither imprisonment nor stripes, neither poverty nor unmerited contumely, availed aught against their unflinching adherence to what they believed to be their duty. Not the least eminent or con- scientious of the Non-Conforming divines in the west country was the Rev. John Hicks, who finally attested his faith upon the block. The hardships and insults he and his loving wife patiently endured during the nine years between 1662 and 1671 have been graphically described by Mrs. Crancht on the authority of family traditions and standard biographies. It is a pleasant and graceful narrative, relieved by many tender traits of womanly love, and manly, high-souled resignation. The style is undoubtedly too antiquated for the period, but the quaint phraseology adopted lends a peculiar charm and piquancy to the simple-minded sufferer's affecting story.
In the third volume of the new monthly edition of De Quincey's Works,§
there is a paper on Joan of Arc, founded on M. Michelees version of that remarkable epoch in the history of France. The "English Opium-Eater" takes a favourable and most likely a correct view of the Maid's character and antecedents, though more intent upon demolishing the French historian than upon vindicating the fair name of the saviour of Orleans. But any shortcomings on his part have been more than made good by the author of "Mary Powell," who has weaved into the form of a fiction the voluminous depositions published in the Probes de Condamnation et de Rehabilitation de Jeanne d'Arc.II It must be confessed, we fear, that the story is somewhat tedious, and much of the supposed conversation of Joan and her con- temporaries might have been advantageously omitted. We should like, too, to learn on what authority it is stated that Sir William Gladsdale's men before Orleans sang derisively to the " Pncelle,"
" Wi ere are you going, my pretty maid?' 'I'm going a milking, sir, she said." And also, if it be really true that as "she turned away with crimson cheeks"—thereby displaying her familiarity with the English tongue—she was followed by cries of " Prithee, stay I Now don't be frightened," &c. There is likewise an attempt at being playful, and even facetious, which jars upon the nerves as not in harmony with the matter Atha narrative. At the same time the character of Joan herself is fairly and clearly sketched, and the account of her family is perfectly true to nature.
It would be superfluous to allude to the mere fact that a new edition of Alton Locke" had been issued from the press, were it not that Mr. Kingsley has prefaced it with a highly characteristic address to the undergraduates of Cambridge ; and, further, that he has rewritten the portion relating to Uni- versity life. While still maintaining that the picture he originally drew was faithfully copied from his own recollections and experiences, he now frankly recognizes the marked improvement in feeling and manners that has taken place not only at Cambridge, but throughout the kingdom. This amendment he attributes partly to the High Church movement and partly to the influence of Dr. Arnold and Mr. Maurice, and also to the general increase of civiliza- tion and humanity. Whatever the causes, Mr. Kingsley fully concedes the fact that the young men of the present day exhibit an earnestness, high mindedness, sobriety, and temperance, far in advance of their predecessors. He is especially pleased with their "altered tone in speaking to and of the labouring classes," and regards the growing cordiality that knits the highest with the lowest in the Volunteer ranks as a most wholesome and hopeful sign. He likewise admits that the social evils stigmatized in this book have been considerably lessened, particularly by the movement for sanitary reform, though there is still much to be done before working men can be raised to the level that befits all rational, orderly, and industrious beings. Towards Trades' Unions he is still favourable, and denies that, as a body, they should be answerable for the recent outrages in Sheffield, but here his excuses betray the weakness of his cause, and evince a kindly bias rather than a judicial impartiality. Finally, he is all for progress, for persistence in education and in raising the working classes, and for showing by example, as well as by precept, what it is that constitutes the true Christian, God-fearing, man-loving gentleman.
• The Invasion of Britain by Julius Omar; with Replies to the Remarks of the Astronomer Royal and of the late Camden Professor of Ancient History at (Wont. By Thomas Lewis. Esq. Second Edition. Longman and Co. t The Last Thane; or the Great conspiracy. A National Tragedy in Five Acts. By Francis Worsley. Ward and Lock. j Troublous Times; or, Leaves from the Note-book of the Rev. Mr. John:Hicks, an ejected Non-Conformist Minister. Transcribed by Jane Bowring Crunch. Jackson, Walford, and Hodder. Last Days of Immanuel Kant, asset other Writings. By Thomas de Quincey. A. and C. Black.
II A Noble Purpose Nobly Won. An Old Old Story. By the Author of "Mary Powell." In Two Vols. Arthur Hall, Virtue and Co. Alton Locke, Tailor and Poet. An Autobiography. By the Rev. C. Kingsley, KA. Macmillan and Co.
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